The lightning-caused Hanover Fire
is burning in the Gospel Hump Wilderness along the Salmon River Corridor. Dave
Bales’ Southwest Area Incident Management Team continues with point source
protection of valuable infrastructure within the fire area. As the fire moves
further east upriver, crews are shifting their efforts to focus on the areas of
most active fire behavior.

Yesterday, firefighters monitored
the southern edge of the fire where burnout operations took place the previous
day. These operations helped mitigate threats to private inholdings and limit
potential fire spread west of the firelines.

Smoke was visible from the Salmon
River Road as a result of these strategic ignitions. Helicopter crews were
brought into the area of McMeekin Ranch to complete fuel mitigation work around
the property to protect from the encroaching fire. Crews continued chipping
brush along Road 221 where firelines were prepped in the area northwest of thefire.

Firefighters were transported by
jet boat further east up the Salmon River to begin placing fire hose and
sprinklers for protection of existing infrastructure. Additional crews were ordered
to relieve those crews that have been working the Hanover Fire for the past 14
days.

Today, more helicopter crews will
be inserted near McMeekin Ranch to continue structure protection efforts.
Depending on fire movement, helicopters may also begin dropping water buckets
around the Black Butte Lookout. Crews are continually assessing values at risk
identified by local resources advisors and determining the most effective means
of protection for these values. To the north, crews are monitoring fire spread
and strengthening firelines on Road 444 between Road 221 and the junction with
Road 444A.

The active portion of the Hanover
Fire has moved past the end of the Salmon River Road at Vinegar Creek. The
Salmon River remains open to all activities, including river camps and boat
traffic. The Salmon River Road and the North Fork Slate Creek Campground also
remain open. Recreation users should stay alert for rolling rocks, falling
trees and debris hazards in blackened areas where the fire has moved across the
landscape. Rafters and other river recreationists are encouraged to stay on
river left and remain in the main current when passing the wildfire area.
Visitors should drive carefully and anticipate increased fire traffic on the
takeout road.

A fire area closure remains in
effect for the Hanover Fire. For more details on this closure, please visit the
Nez Perce- Clearwater National Forests webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nezperceclearwater/notices, or
contact the Salmon River Ranger District at (208) 839-2211. Stage I Fire
Restrictions are in effect for the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area,
Riverbreaks, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, and Uplands. For more information,
please visit http://www.idahofireinfo.com/.